200 homes to be built in Longridge after appeal allowed

A development of up to 200 homes is set to be built in Longridge after an appeal was allowed by inspectors.

Cheshire-based Fox Strategic Land and Property Ltd were appealing against Preston Council’s failure to make a decision on an application for homes at Whittingham Road.

Ken Hudson

Now the Planning Inspectorate has allowed the appeal, granting outline permission for a mixed use development and leaving objectors “disappointed”.

In a report, inspector John Chase said: “The proposal is not clearly contrary to any adopted development plan policy drawn to the attention of this appeal. However, even if this were not the case, the council acknowledge that they do not have a five year supply of deliverable housing sites.”

He said that the development plan policies relating to housing supply were considered out of date, and added: “Construction of new homes to help meet this shortfall of deliverable sites would be a clear benefit of the proposal, and, for the reasons set out under the main issue, there are no adverse impacts of such significance as to outweigh the presumption in favour of granting permission.”

The inspector granted outline permission subject to conditions, for a development of homes, offices, residential apartments with care and a leisure facility, as well as access and public open space. Preston Council did not offer any objections at the inquiry.

Preston Rural North councillor Ken Hudson said: “I just feel extremely disappointed for the people who we have tried to support.”

Coun Lona Smith added: “Our concerns are that the majority of traffic from this development will access Preston via Grimsargh and therefore exacerbate the congestion already evident on that route.”